Power does not come easily to the ordinary man. To be born a peasant and to grow up to be king is nearly impossible. Likewise, it is extremely unusual to find a lower class person living in America to make it up to the position of President. Rarely enough, there were two cases which prove these two scenarios wrong. What seems to be impossible was proven to actually be quite possible. This may cause one to question whether these two paths to success came naturally or if there was an intervention in (by) fate. The powers that Richard Nixon and Macbeth achieved in their lives did not seem to come so naturally and amazingly,(change to a semicolon) there are many similarities in their journeys towards power. (good intro.)
Richard Nixon was born of a low middle class family. He was intelligent and also was accepted into Harvard University. But due to lack of funds(,) he was unable to attend. With a situation like this, it would seem highly unlikely to become the president of the United States. But somehow, Nixon was able to climb the ladder of power. He started in the House and Senate, rose to the vice presidency, and finally became the President of the United States. Like Nixon, Macbeth was not born into an extremely high class family (such as the royal family). This meant he was not in line to become the King of Scotland. Extraordinarily, Macbeth had a huge leap in power. “All hail, Macbeth! Hail to thee, Thane of Glamis!...Thane of Cawdor…that shalt be King hereafter” (1.3.48-50). He achieved all of these things not even being part of the royal family.
Both of these men had achieved power early on, yet both also yearned for more. Even while in the highest echelon (good word!) of power, insecurities began to emerge. Nixon and Kissinger tapped phone lines of numerous people in an effort to stop information from leaking to the press. He was paranoid that his power would be vanquished and did not seem to be secure about his position as President. Likewise, Macbeth also could not trust those around him. “There’s not a one of them but in his house/I keep a servant fee’d” (3.4.132-133). Macbeth also needed to be sure of what those around him were doing. Both these men were hiding deep secrets that they did not want others to know about. (excellent analysis)
Nixon wanted to hide his secret of the Watergate scandal and Macbeth did not want anyone to know about Duncan’s murder. The Watergate scandal involved many illegal activities that were authorized by Nixon’s staff. One of these activities involved the breaking and entering of the Democratic National Committee headquarters at the Watergate hotel complex. Macbeth did not want those to know about Duncan’s murder which was committed to allow Macbeth to become king. Macbeth knew that those in the royal family stood in the way of he himself becoming the king. “The Prince of/ Cumberland! That is a step/on which I must fall down, or else o’erleap,/ for in my way it lies. (move this period to after the citation)”(1.4.48-50) Luckily, Duncan’s two sons fled from Scotland to secure their safety.
To secure their power even more (,) both men also spoke of or committed murders. There was talk by Nixon’s aide, G. Gordon Liddy, about having a newspaper columnist named Jack Anderson assassinated. Macbeth had countless people murdered even after murdering Duncan himself. The feeling of threat (awkward phrasing) that was caused by Macduff brought upon the murder of Macduff’s whole house. “The castle of Macduff I will surprise;/Seize upon Fife; give to th’edge o’ th’ sword/His wife, his babes, and all unfortunate souls/That trace him in his line” (4.1.150-154). These men seemed to believe that by eliminating any threat would continue to secure the power that they held.
These men also believed that with their extreme power that they could not be overcome. Unfortunately for them, they were far from being right. Nixon’s scandal went under FBI investigation and much evidence was uncovered. There was certainty of his impeachment, but he resigned before that occurred. This ended his reign of power and his countless malicious acts. Macbeth’s days of royalty ended in his death. “Hail, King! for so thou art: behold, where stands/Th’usurper’s cursed head”(5.2. 54-55). He was killed by his most feared enemy, Macduff. Malcolm took Macbeth’s place as king of Scotland. Both Nixon’s and Macbeth’s efforts to change their fates caused their unbelievable rises to power come to tragic ends.
Rise To Power : Nixon vs Macbeth
Richard Nixon was born of a low middle class family. He was intelligent and also was accepted into Harvard University. But due to lack of funds(,) he was unable to attend. With a situation like this, it would seem highly unlikely to become the president of the United States. But somehow, Nixon was able to climb the ladder of power. He started in the House and Senate, rose to the vice presidency, and finally became the President of the United States. Like Nixon, Macbeth was not born into an extremely high class family (such as the royal family). This meant he was not in line to become the King of Scotland. Extraordinarily, Macbeth had a huge leap in power. “All hail, Macbeth! Hail to thee, Thane of Glamis!...Thane of Cawdor…that shalt be King hereafter” (1.3.48-50). He achieved all of these things not even being part of the royal family.
Both of these men had achieved power early on, yet both also yearned for more. Even while in the highest echelon (good word!) of power, insecurities began to emerge. Nixon and Kissinger tapped phone lines of numerous people in an effort to stop information from leaking to the press. He was paranoid that his power would be vanquished and did not seem to be secure about his position as President. Likewise, Macbeth also could not trust those around him. “There’s not a one of them but in his house/I keep a servant fee’d” (3.4.132-133). Macbeth also needed to be sure of what those around him were doing. Both these men were hiding deep secrets that they did not want others to know about. (excellent analysis)
Nixon wanted to hide his secret of the Watergate scandal and Macbeth did not want anyone to know about Duncan’s murder. The Watergate scandal involved many illegal activities that were authorized by Nixon’s staff. One of these activities involved the breaking and entering of the Democratic National Committee headquarters at the Watergate hotel complex. Macbeth did not want those to know about Duncan’s murder which was committed to allow Macbeth to become king. Macbeth knew that those in the royal family stood in the way of he himself becoming the king. “The Prince of/ Cumberland! That is a step/on which I must fall down, or else o’erleap,/ for in my way it lies. (move this period to after the citation)”(1.4.48-50) Luckily, Duncan’s two sons fled from Scotland to secure their safety.
To secure their power even more (,) both men also spoke of or committed murders. There was talk by Nixon’s aide, G. Gordon Liddy, about having a newspaper columnist named Jack Anderson assassinated. Macbeth had countless people murdered even after murdering Duncan himself. The feeling of threat (awkward phrasing) that was caused by Macduff brought upon the murder of Macduff’s whole house. “The castle of Macduff I will surprise;/Seize upon Fife; give to th’edge o’ th’ sword/His wife, his babes, and all unfortunate souls/That trace him in his line” (4.1.150-154). These men seemed to believe that by eliminating any threat would continue to secure the power that they held.
These men also believed that with their extreme power that they could not be overcome. Unfortunately for them, they were far from being right. Nixon’s scandal went under FBI investigation and much evidence was uncovered. There was certainty of his impeachment, but he resigned before that occurred. This ended his reign of power and his countless malicious acts. Macbeth’s days of royalty ended in his death. “Hail, King! for so thou art: behold, where stands/Th’usurper’s cursed head”(5.2. 54-55). He was killed by his most feared enemy, Macduff. Malcolm took Macbeth’s place as king of Scotland. Both Nixon’s and Macbeth’s efforts to change their fates caused their unbelievable rises to power come to tragic ends.
Excellent work!!!